I did it both ways from night to night. But moving to fingerstyle right there provides a more complete change in musical texture and allows the attention to go to the guitarist.
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Who uses slap in real life?
- Thread starter Happynoj
- Start date
I slap on "You are Good" at church but that's about it. Actually, I plan to use my new fretless at church when the guys at Roscoe finish it up next month.
I was at a Motorhead show a few years ago and I was very surprised when Lemmy stepped forward into the spotlight and did about a 5 minute slappin' solo.
So first I would ask myself, when do I think that slapping would potentially be appropriate? And for music that I play, for music that I listen to, I think slapping might possibly be a good idea maybe 5% of the time.
But then for me personally, once I get it "in the mix" with the rest of the band, it tends to just not sound great. When I'm playing by myself, I says to myself, I says, "You have some pretty nice slapping technique there!" But in the mix, it just doesn't work. So the amount of slapping that I actually do in real situations is very close to zero. But since I would almost never use it even if it sounded good, I don't feel that I'm missing out on much.
Maybe I just need another bass. Yeah, that'd probably fix it.
But then for me personally, once I get it "in the mix" with the rest of the band, it tends to just not sound great. When I'm playing by myself, I says to myself, I says, "You have some pretty nice slapping technique there!" But in the mix, it just doesn't work. So the amount of slapping that I actually do in real situations is very close to zero. But since I would almost never use it even if it sounded good, I don't feel that I'm missing out on much.
Maybe I just need another bass. Yeah, that'd probably fix it.
I never use slap. Just doesn't fit with the music we play. However, a close friend of mine is a slap master and also uses two handed hammer-on technique to occasionally spice things up. It fits with the funky music his band plays. So there it is.
in real life... true story; before I met the other musicians of a band, I told their management that I won't be slappin' as a selling point... but now my eyes are open further to at least see slap is only a technique in itself and doesn't deserve the shame for which i see it so frequently getting cast upon.
Nothing I play requires it and I've put my efforts into other areas of my playing, so I absolutely suck at it. That is not a badge of honor. If I'm ever asked to slap in public, I'll embarass myself even more than I do with other playing styles. Kudos to those who do it well.
My pub covers band has a few Chili's songs in the set so its a technique I use regularly at gigs. I have only ever written a slapped bass part in one song though because it suited what the drums and guitar were doing at the time.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I slap at music stores, that counts, right?
I'll occasionally use basic slap technique on a couple of songs at church that call for it, also on Red Hot Chili Peppers songs where Flea uses it. The latter came in handy when I auditioned for an RHCP tribute last year.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I've never played any songs where slap was called for, and I kind of suck at it so I never use the technique.
I do enjoy the random bass player that slaps his way through sound check but plays the whole show finger style.
I do enjoy the random bass player that slaps his way through sound check but plays the whole show finger style.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I love that guy. He is right up there with the singer who gives a mic level by talking at a regular volume, that always ends well.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I like to practice basic slap techniques. It is fun and certainly can add a dynamic to songs. My focus is on improving my fingerstyle technique, so I keep things super-basic.
As far as crazy-advanced technique on 6+ string basses....just not my taste (outside of appreciation for impressive musicians). Four strings and a good groove make me happy.
As far as crazy-advanced technique on 6+ string basses....just not my taste (outside of appreciation for impressive musicians). Four strings and a good groove make me happy.
I gave up slapping about the same time I gave up pillaging and plundering.
I'm still struggling with some other residual bad habits.
I'm still struggling with some other residual bad habits.
Whenever I have to play a song I didn't write, I always find a way to work some slap bass into it 
In all seriousness though, my bandmates actually like it. They feel it adds flavor and energy to the music. Our stuff is sort of funky from time to time.
In all seriousness though, my bandmates actually like it. They feel it adds flavor and energy to the music. Our stuff is sort of funky from time to time.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
If I am playing metal (genres: modern metal, prog metal, post metal) I slap all of the time. Probably every song on my last album aside from one where the bass line was all tapping. If you are a fingerstyle metallist it's a phenomenal way to get a definitive attack, punch, and grindy sound on low notes. It enhances the overall aggression of every band that I play in. IMO the fluffy subwoofer sound of light fingerstyle on the B string doesnt add much, just low end. When I slap it cuts through both the kick and guitars and people realize there is a bassist involved.
I never use it unless things call for it. I have also spent years playing in bands (hip hop, lighter rock) where I never had to slap anything and used a light touch in general.
I never use it unless things call for it. I have also spent years playing in bands (hip hop, lighter rock) where I never had to slap anything and used a light touch in general.
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